What You Should Know About Computer Recycling?

Answer 1

According to the National Recycling Coalition, computers are in the top ten of recycled items. With technological advances coming in at a rapid pace, consumers find that their computer equipment becomes obsolete before too long and need to dispose of their old equipment. Computer recycling is the green way to dispose of computer equipment as it not only helps to prevent hazardous products from filling up landfills, but also helps to conserve resources since recycled computers can be used. Many manufacturers are beginning to use recycled materials in the manufacturing of their products. This helps manufacturers produce products at a lower cost and pass these savings onto the consumer. Further, businesses expand and develop in an effort to handle increasing computer recycling needs, which helps to support job growth.

Sometimes the entire computer can be saved and used to support schools, communities and low-income families not only in the United States but throughout the world. If the entire computer cannot be salvaged, then parts such as wires, batteries, plastic and metals can be reused in other electronics. Not only are computers recyclable, but your computer accessories such as the printer, scanner, speakers, keyboards, monitor and ink cartridges are valuable too for their parts.

Companies such as Earth911 and the Consumer Electronics Association provide comprehensive databases of local computer recycling programs. These organizations have local agents that will accept your old computer for recycling. If you are interested in recycling your computer and its accessories for cash, EcoSquid can help you find a local agent that will pay for your old computer equipment. Some computer manufacturers have recycling programs in place and will give you instructions on how to pack up your computer and accessories for recycling. Additionally, retailers such as Best Buy offer computer recycling programs. Some retailers offer incentives such as gift cards and discounts for recycling electronics. Lastly, many communities and cities set aside one day a year to collect recyclable electronics, including computers.

Tech soup suggests that you should wipe your hard drive clean before donating or recycling your computer. Even though most third-party recycling organization utilize hard drive wiping programs on recycled computers, it is still advised to wipe your confidential information off of your hard drive before releasing your computer. Remember, to back up your hard drive before wiping it clean because you won't be able to access your data once you use a hard drive cleaning program.